Tuesday, 20 October 2020 Dear Dr Fulvio & Rebecca, Thank you very much for making me feel wonderful again, I am so happy with your whole approach to cosmetic surgery and I am so glad I waited for you to be the one to do my surgery. I had IMPLANT REMOVAL, MASTOPEXY WITH FAT GRAFTING AND A MONS LIFT!! Rebecca has been wonderful from the beginning on my journey with Eterno360, she always kept me updated with any availability and I couldn’t be more happier when I got the call with my op date which was for the following EEK! I said yes and got excited to get this op done as I have been unhappy with my implants (2nd lot) & the fact one had ruptured was worrying me so I chose to have them removed altogether. Dr Fulvio has made me feel completely at ease and explained everything very thoroughly from my online consultation to a follow up in the clinic through to the hospital admission, and after care appointment, you will not be disappointed! I have never had a wonderful experience with any surgeon previously (I have had a few ops in my time) I have been made to feel so welcome and that my feelings and emotional wellbeing is important to the team at Eterno, that I am not just another patient that needs surgery and not be valued. My operation went really well (5.5 hours later) as Dr Fulvio takes his time to make sure everything is perfect! I am only on week 2 of recovery and will have to wait a few more weeks to see the end result after swelling and stitches go down etc but after a week the difference was evident of a successful operation. I received flowers 2 days after my op which was such a wonderful surprise and made me feel happy! That is a personal service you will not get anywhere else! The service is above & beyond a talented surgeon & clinic. Anyone thinking about having cosmetic surgery with Dr Fulvio Urso-Baiarda please do not hesitate as you will not be disappointed! Dr Fulvio & Rebecca thank you very much for everything! Best wishes to you both An Anonymously happy client! X X X
I was over weight as teen and lost 4 stone. This left me with loose skin on my tummy and legs ( my legs were more noticeable) . 15 years later, after saving hard I decided to do something about it. My first consultation I had with Mark Soldin. Mark basically said he thought the risks and scars that I would face and be left with , wouldn’t be worth the procedure as he didn’t consider my legs to be that bad although he said I do have loose skin. This really disheartened me as I had done so much research and thought about this for years and although he basically said he didn’t think there was need for the operation , he also never offered me my £230 consultation fee back. To be honest I didn’t ask but if you don’t want to operate on someone surely it’s just courtesy and common practice to offer a refund if you don’t consider that someone is suitable for the op ! 1 month later , I came across fulvio after reading a review on here. From my first consultation he was understanding and could see why I was so upset and see why I would want the op. On my consultation before I’d even committed to the procedure , he marked up my legs to show me what he would do and how many cm’s I would have cut off which made things clearer in my mind. It was very easy to get in contact with him and his wife ( Rebecca his secretary ) the only downside was I was chased twice for my consultation fee even though I sent proof of payment with a screen shot after being asked first time . I guess these mistakes happen though , we are only human ! The day of my surgery I was very nervous but went down very early so I was pleased about that as less time to think about what was to come. On waking up , I’m not going to lie I was in a great deal of pain. I’ve had cosmetic procedures before but this was the worst by far. I was given some morphine which did take the edge off. The first 4 days I had really bad sickness ( which I always seem to after general anaesthetic) and was pretty much bed bound. The pain was really bad the first couple of days and I did take plenty of paracetamol but was still in pain and not sleeping. Day 5 I seemed to turn a corner, the pain turned into just being generally uncomfortable and I have been getting more mobile as each day goes on . I had my wounds changed on day 11 to be told everything is heeling nicely which was so good to hear. One thing I definitely will say is a must is purchasing a she wee as going to the toilet really isn’t pleasant and this makes life more easier ! I would definitely recommend fulvio, he listened to what I wanted and the scars I would consider acceptable and made me feel like I was in safe hands . I will upload some before photos and a few of my journey so far ...... Updated on 2 Dec 2019: Bruising is nearly all gone I had 10 cm and 11 cm removed from each thigh . As you can see, I still have cellulite but my legs are much smoother. I do still have swelling at the top of my right leg too . Updated on 3 Jan 2020: This is my vertical scar 2 months after op. I am pleased although I’m hoping the redness soon fades! It’s just a shame as I’m completely healed my cellulite seems to of came back although that wasn’t the reason for having the op but I hoped it would improve which it has but as the swelling has gone down , my cellulite has appeared again
I had explant surgery and FT with Fulvio 4 weeks ago now, he is an amazing Surgeon and made me feel so relaxed from the beginning, I had met with so many other Surgeons before Fulvio and not one made me feel like he did, having had a bad experience with plastic surgery in the past I wanted to find someone I could totally trust, I really took my time with this and when I came across Eterno 360 I knew I had stuck gold! Fulvio listened carefully to everything I said and we went back and forth discussing options for myself, he really took his time to make sure I was truly happy, he also made me and my partner laugh a lot when we were both very nervous on the operation day. I am so grateful for the amazing experience I have had with Fulvio and Eterno 360, my scars look amazing, my results are amazing and I am just so happy. I highly recommend Eterno 360 and Fulvio personally, he is a highly skilled, kind and genuine Man. Thank you for everything Fulvio & your Team at Eterno 360 Im over the moon x
I would like to thank and highly recommend the Eterno team for their diligent care and amazing results. The decision to have cosmetic surgery was one I'd considered for several years but I had always been unsure of how the results would weigh up against recovery and cost. From the first consultation I felt assured I was in safe and skilled hands, was able to understand what my post surgery results would look like and understood the risks and potential complications in a very honest and practical way. The day of surgery was so straightforward and I was made to feel extremely comfortable at all stages. I had a conversation with my wonderful surgeon Mr Fulvio Urso-Baiarda and each of his team members that would perform my pre, post and in-surgery care, and I felt able to ask all the questions I needed to for final reassurances. I felt confident throughout and was even excited to head to theatre. Thoughtful touches were provided by the Eterno Team and their partner hospital. I can't recommend Mr Fulvio Urso-Baiarda, the practice and team enough and would like to thank them for giving me my body confidence back.
For someone who has so little time in his day because he works so hard, Fulvio is incredible at ALWAYS finding time for his patients. He gives them his undivided attention from initial consultation right through to post operative check ups making them feel valued and fully supported. His bedside manner is such, that you trust him implicitly from the word go. I spent many years deliberating over having a breast reduction but Fulvio’s professionalism, expertise and sincerity actually gave me the reassurance to go ahead with my procedure. Thanks to Fulvio and his team, I felt well informed throughout the entire experience and he put my mind at ease from the outset. In regards to the results, I am absolutely thrilled with the size, shape and position of my breasts. Fulvio is indeed a perfectionist and this is reflected in his work. I have a new found confidence, which I never thought I’d have and all the credit goes to him. I was so lucky to find him and have already steered a close friend his way. Thank you to Fulvio and Eterno for everything.
This surgeon has been excellent from the first consultation to my 11 week post op... He has made me feel very happy with my body and confident to wear fitted clothing, which I am EXTREMELY grateful for. If I have any concerns I am still able to contact him but luckily so far I have had great recovery from day 1. If I ever feel I need anything done in my future I will be seeing him first without hesitation. Thank you so much Mr Urso-Baiarda
Thank you Fulvio. I feel more confident now I have my eyelids back. Everything went according to plan and from start to finish, Fulvio was so caring and extremely professional. Will be back for more magic, and have recommended him to my friends and sister in law!
My journey began several years ago, with fluctuating weight followed by lipo to my thighs. I won't get into the specifics, but lipo was a bad decision for me, leaving me with very rippled, loose skin and affected my confidence greatly. Although I am a normal weight for my height and look good in clothes, I am never ever naked from the waist down! In summer, I wear sheer tights or long skirts as my bare legs are unsightly. I would love nothing more than to be proud of my body and be rid of the saggy, loose skin left by liposuction. I have tried exercising and losing more weight but the area remains unaffected. I have also wasted money on numerous massage and skin tightening therapies, none of which have made a visible difference. A thigh lift seems like the only realistic option available for tightening the skin and hopefully, allowing me to enjoy my body. I recently broke up with my boyfriend of three years; a fairly difficult relationship followed by a similarly difficult breakup. I never allowed him to see me fully naked, and was always anxious about revealing my legs. I know that self-confidence is multi-faceted and dependent on various factors, but surely body confidence is one of them. I am a huge proponent of doing proper research and pursuing a surgical procedure if it will improve your self-confidence and body image. We all deserve to feel good in our skin, especially after a breakup when our confidence could certainly be improved upon! My research thus far has taken me to Dr Peter Fisher, an absolute artist in his field and a very lovely man! He specialises in surgery after huge weight loss and has particular expertise in thigh lifts. Doctors specialising in this area are pretty much non-existent in England, UK (where I live) so perusing Dr Fisher’s before and after pics is heaven to me! His work is incredible. I initially spoke to him on the phone about 4 years ago, following my lipo. My results were such a mess and I was so down that I knew I didn’t want to live the rest of my days with saggy skin, hiding under numerous layers. Dr Fisher suggested a spiral thigh lift, which would involve an incision around the groin area, going round the back of the legs to tighten the back of the thighs. The scar, when healed, would be almost imperceptible with underwear or swimwear on. The alternative would be to have a vertical scar going down the leg, which is more difficult to hide and, Dr Fisher told me, unnecessary for the condition of my skin, though it would provide skin tightening to a larger area, not just the top of the thigh. The only problem would be the distance. From London, San Antonio where Dr Fisher is based would be a 14+ hour flight, and I would need to stay there for a decent amount of time to allow for recovery before flying home. Surgery is challenging enough without being so far from a familiar environment, so I’m not sure if this is viable, though I know people frequently visit Dr Fisher from out of town. I have found an alternative surgeon in the UK, though I am not sure how practised in thigh lifts she is. Her name is CC Kat and she performed my breast augmentation around 7 years ago. She is an incredible surgeon and a true perfectionist, I was absolutely delighted with the results of my BA. I have seen results of a couple of her body lifts, which are amazing, so I’m hoping to have a consultation with her in January to see what she recommends. She is based around 2.5 hours drive from where I live, making this a much more viable option for me than America. However, if I feel Dr Fisher would be a significantly better option, I would make the journey. Not to be too cliched, but you only live once, right?! I think it’s worth the expense and downtime to feel better about my body in the long term. I have posted some recent pics to give an idea of my legs at the moment. I believe I would have to lose a little weight and get down to my target of 10.5 stone (so, losing about 14 lbs) before surgery, so this will be my focus for the coming months. I’m planning surgery in April next year, to allow plenty of recovery before the Summer months. In the meantime, I hope to share my journey with you guys so watch this space for updates... Updated on 1 Jan 2019: I just wanted to share something that has been affecting me and my decision to pursue this surgery: guilt. Specifically, guilt about not telling my mum. I share everything with her, but pursuing surgery (especially abroad) is not something I believe she would encourage or understand. When I told her about my plans to have a BA, she was extremely supportive and accompanied me to Birmingham to look after me following surgery (as it turns out, there wasn't much help needed as my surgery was amazingly pain free). With lipo, I travelled alone to Spain where I had the procedure without telling anyone (this caused me a lot of guilt too but I felt it was something I really wanted to do). Since that went wrong, I have been so down about my body, looking in the mirror makes me cringe and it limits a lot of my activities. I don't pursue anything that would require me to have bare legs (even wearing tights in the summer sun!) I haven't been on holiday for several years, or swimming since I was a child. My legs have always been a bone of contention for me. Now I am single, I can't even comprehend meeting someone given the way I feel about my body. I am straddling the lines between depression over how I feel about my body and loose skin, and guilt for pursuing surgery secretively. As telling my mum is not an option just now (it would cause her immense stress and worry, and my dad died in 2018 so I couldn't inflict that upon her), I need to either get over this toxic guilt or decide to live with my body the way it is. As you know, diet and exercise do very little for skin tightening and I have lived with loose skin on my thighs for too long now. Surgery seems to be the only option available to resolving these difficulties and finally loving my body. Isn't that what everyone deserves? I am constantly reminding myself that this is something I am doing for me, not for anyone else, and it is extremely personal. My intention is not to keep anything from my mum or to hurt her in any way, but I know telling her about this will not go down well. On a positive note, I mentioned to Dr Fisher that I have some loose skin on my flanks which is quite annoying as my underwear pinches it and it looks unsightly. Dr Fisher suggested buttock auto-augementation to fix the laxity of my butt and deal with the flank area too. This made me super excited as I would love to have a projected bottom, not the flat mass of skin that is currently there. He also mentioned that he may decide to do a vertical incision. I am good with this. If it brings more tightening to the area and better results, I think a vertical scar is a compromise I can live with. I really just want to be proud of my body for once, rather than hiding it away under baggy clothes. I have a consultation with Dr Kat in the UK on 11th January. I'm looking forward to it, but I also know that she would have to offer the world in order to match Dr Fisher's recommendations! I hope I can deal with the mental stress I am finding myself under in order to proceed with this surgery once and for all. I am starting to lose a little weight in order to get down to a good size for surgery and not have any additional 'baggage'. Updated on 12 Jan 2019: Yesterday I had my consultation with lovely Mrs Kat in Birmingham. When I walked in, she told me she couldn’t imagine why I’d want a thigh lift, but clothes can hide a multitude of sins! When I undressed, she could see the issue. Specifically, she drew my legs on a pad, with straight lines to represent my outer thighs and squiggly lines to represent my inner thighs. She said that the procedure would involve a horizontal incision to just over halfway down my leg, to tighten the loose skin; the area around the knee is less of a concern and so a incision all the way to the knee would be unnecessary. She told me however that she doesn’t perform groin incisions as they tend to migrate down the leg in time. Her scars are so incredibly neat and she uses dissolvable stiches, so a scar however long is not a concern of mine. I understand that you trade a scar for improved contour and improved contour is definitely preferable to sagging skin. Mrs Kat showed me some pictures of previous thigh lifts she had done. I believe her speciality is breast surgery and reconstruction, so I don’t think thigh lifts are a common procedure. There were two patients she showed me; one was a massive weight loss case, the other was a woman of a similar shape and weight to me. The first result was tremendous. Very noticeable improvement and the loose skin was all gone. The second was improved but more subtle, and still with some remaining obvious loose skin at the back of the thighs which the incision hadn’t accounted for. This one looked more like me, and I wondered if I would be content with this more subtle result. Improved for sure, but I don’t think I’d be bikini confident. I told Mrs Kat of my plans to visit America for surgery and mentioned the spiral thigh lift, recommended by Dr Fisher. She hadn’t heard of this procedure. Dr Fisher had also recommended an auto-augmentation of the buttocks for me, as there is some looseness as a result of a BBL that didn’t take. This recommendation made my heart sing, as I have always wanted a more shapely butt and the idea that he would be able to add to my curves while removing the loose skin is very exciting. When I told Mrs Kat of this, she said that she reserves auto-augmentation for reconstruction surgeries and it wouldn’t be something I would need. She said if I wanted more projection of the buttocks, she could do a BBL, but I don’t have much fat reserves (I really don’t want to gain weight for this). Having been down the BBL route before, this isn’t very appealing. One thing that surprised me was the fact that Mrs Kat would do the thigh lift under local anaesthetic. I told her I am quite squeamish and the idea of a local anaesthetic scares me a little. She said in that case, we’d do it under twilight sedation, which would allow me to be asleep during the procedure, but responsive if, for example, I was asked to move. She said this would be a lot easier to recover from than general anaesthetic and would therefore cut recovery time right down. She said the procedure itself had a fairly easy recovery. Again, this was not what I expected based on the reviews I’ve read on Realself! As the procedure is ‘superficial’ (i.e. doesn’t involve the repair of muscles) it wouldn’t require a period of bedrest. In fact, she said she would recommend being up and about the following day, moving where possible. Other than some tightness, she didn’t anticipate there being much pain or discomfort. Again, I’m not sure if this is general to thigh lifts or just the procedure she was proposing, as the majority of thigh lift reviews describe fairly intense pain for a few days. I loved seeing Mrs Kat. She is a highly skilled surgeon and a gentle, kind person. I came away feeling fairly confused however. She is proposing a procedure somewhat different to that proposed by Dr Peter Fisher. Dr Fisher has proposed an extended spiral TL, with the incision in the groin as opposed to horizontal (though there may be a horizontal component) while Mrs Kat suggested a purely horizontal scar. Dr Fisher’s proposal to autoaugment the buttocks is also very appealing, as I would love to improve the whole area that is causing concern. Having much improved thighs would be wonderful, but having an even more curvaceous, womanly shape with more projected buttocks would be the icing on the cake and if I’m going for surgery, shouldn’t I go for the hole hog as opposed to the middle ground? I know more scarring and pain would likely be involved, but it’s a compromise for improved contour. One of the things I love about Dr Fisher’s work is his emphasis on the female form. I have seen instances of skin removal where it’s like he has opened the curtains to an amazingly curvy figure which is an amazing skill. So, therein lies my dilemma. Two amazing surgeons. One in the UK, a mere 2 hours from where I live. One in the US: an hour drive and two long-haul flights. The first surgeon proposes liposuction to the area followed by a horizontal lift which will result in improved contour of the thighs. The second proposes a spiral thigh lift and auto-augmentation of the buttocks, to take away the dimpled look and increase the buttock projection using my own tissues. This would also relieve me of the loose skin on my flanks which, although not the worst thing in the world, causes a slight underwear ‘overhang’. There is a significant difference in cost involved in the second option due to longer stay in a hotel/ Airbnb, flights, nursing care and the surgery itself which is approximately £4,000 more expensive. This is most definitely a consideration. However, my lower body has been an area of contention for some time and the loose skin on my thighs has prevents me from wearing clothes I like, and doing activities I enjoy (such as swimming) so I feel that saving a bit extra in the meantime might be worth it. I’m not sure what results I could really expect from autoaugmentation of the buttocks, but it may well be worth the extra moolah! Would love to hear your thoughts as to which option I should choose... Updated on 7 Mar 2019: It's been a while since I last updated my review and I have uhmmed and ahhed over my choice of surgeon for a long time. Dr Fisher is undoubtedly a world-class surgeon when it comes to this procedure, but the idea of being so far from home, in an unfamiliar surrounding and on my own during recovery from an arguably huge operation scared me a lot and I felt that it was an undue risk. I recently found a surgeon in my local area, Mr Fulvio Urso-Baiarda. While he doesn't specialise in skin excision/ thigh lift procedures, he does around 10 a year, so is fairly well-versed in the procedure. He is also an incredibly kind man, with an excellent bedside manner and I feel very at ease with him. I have so far had two consultations with him and he is extremely thorough, talking me through my medical history, what the procedure will involve and what it will likely look like. His suggestion was a scar about half-way down my thigh and in the groin (yack...the groin scar scares me but it's just the idea of it. I know it'll be fine). Fulvio drew up the skin he would remove during the first consult, and it was about 11" per thigh. Prior to my second consult, I was in absolute tears. I broke up with my boyfriend just before Christmas and the relationship was toxic, so has taken me a while to recover from. I started to question whether I should be going for such a big surgery during a very tumultuous time of my life, and whether I was emotionally capable of this. As soon as I entered the room with Fulvio, he put me completely at ease. His confidence and how transparent and honest he is is so utterly refreshing. He suggested speaking to one or two of his previous patients too, and assured me that he would be there for the aftercare period. In fact, he is going on holiday just before my surgery and his diary is closed for bookings a couple of weeks before then, as he wants to be accessible to his patients. This is really reassuring. He also told me (during a barrage of questions) that he thought I'd be surprised at the recovery period, and that it may be a lot less intense than I envisage. I certainly hope so. In the interim, I have been eating and exercising well. I don't weigh myself, but perhaps you can see some small changes in my body. I definitely notice my upper body is trimmer. However, exercise and diet seem to make no difference to my thighs. It's quite disconcerting, but confirms I have made the right decision proceeding with this surgery. I can feel the muscles in my thighs strengthening, but the laxity of the skin makes this invisible. My mum will be staying with me for a week post-surgery. I can't express how happy I am that she is a part of this. To think about how terrified I was of telling her about this, and now we speak about it openly and honestly. I have a lot of supplies for surgery, which I will post at a later date. It's only 2 months away and I'm excited. This is something I am doing for me, and I'm proud of myself for going for it. Hopefully this will be the start of a newfound respect for my body. Looking after myself with a good diet and exercise regime is helping, but I still cringe when I look in the mirror. I am sure my days of cringing are numbered... One last thing to mention is the laxity of my flanks. This was an area I previously had liposuctioned which is annoying, because the skin is now very loose here and it falls over my trousers. Dr Fisher was intending to incorporate this into my surgery if I should travel to the US. However, Fulvio does not believe it would be necessary, and that some sort of non-surgical procedure might be helpful. I'm dubious as a result of previous non-surgical failures, but willing to give anything a go! Also good to know that this may be one scar I could avoid! Updated on 24 Apr 2019: I am currently two weeks pre op. A mixture of excited to be on the other side and extreme nervousness for healing and recovery. I have no idea what to expect from recovery as the stories on here seem to vary so dramatically, from someone who had nothing more than some twinges in the incisions, to another patient who said it was the most excruciating pain she'd ever experienced. I'm hoping my experience will be closer to the first one! I have been waking in the night scared of being opened up and, in particular, the groin scar. However, I need to focus on the impermanence of the healing process. This too shall pass. I had semi-permanent colour put on my lips over the weekend, kind of tattooed lipstick. Straight after, my lips were swollen and looked horrific. They didn't feel much better either. I had that panic that 'this is the way they'll be for life, what have I done?!' but a mere four days later and they are healed, completely perfect. I think there is a tendency to think that pain lasts forever which is never the case. I have been working out and eating healthily since the beginning of the year. While my upper body is still fairly weak, I'm leaner and stronger than I've ever been, now under 10 stone which is the lower end for my height. I think this will stand me in good stead for surgery as the skin is more lax than it has ever been so presumably easier to remove (don't know if this is how it works though!) I am not looking forward to being unable to exercise for 8 weeks, but I need to remember that it's a short period in my life and when I resume exercising, hopefully you'll actually be able to see the results in my legs! My body confidence is better than it has ever been, aside from my legs, so I am looking forward to having lean thighs. I think I'm realistic about my results. I don't expect perfection, but a noticeable improvement would be nice. I've been told I won't be changing my bandages until my post-op appointment at one week. I'm kind of excited for this as I'll hopefully be on my way to healing at Day 7 and so unveiling my results will be amazing. I know that aftercare and wound care is of utmost importance in this procedure so trying to learn as much about that as possible. It will be a really mindful process, requiring a lot of patience. I look forward to updating you guys and thank you for your support so far [RS bleep] Updated on 3 May 2019: It's one week pre-op and I'm feeling so-so. I have a lot of anxieties but trying not to listen to them and putting my effort into remaining with myself in the present moment. Sometimes I question why I'm going to be doing this to my body, as it sounds like a fairly painful recovery, but I genuinely believe you should do what you can to make yourself feel good, even if others see it as shallow. I want to live the rest of my life with legs I don't feel ashamed of and currently, they are the impediment to loving my body. I had my pre-op assessment yesterday where the nurse took blood, talked me through some things and weighed me. She also ordered my compression garment (but I had to tell her which one because she had no clue!) I didn't really learn anything new, certainly nothing I haven't read on here. However, I have low blood pressure so the nurse said I need to take it extra slowly when I'm standing up as I have a tendency to feel light headed or to faint, especially after general anaesthesia. I was most concerned about being discharged from hospital before I feel ready, but she assured me I wouldn't be discharged unless I was feeling able, and had eaten and passed water. I'm vegan so I hope they have a suitable meal for me because I definitely don't want to eat meat, so perhaps I'll take some snacks just in case. I've bought a lot of things for recovery, possibly more than I'll need but it's good to be prepared! I thought I'd put together a list of things to consider, which will hopefully help anyone who proceeds with this or any other surgery. Obviously, they're not all essential! Here goes... • Gauze pads • Maternity towels to protect the incisions • Hand sanitiser • Night gown (not sure I’ll be able to put PJs on) • Compression leggings (hoping to keep everything sucked in. The nurse told me my results won’t be visible for a while because of swelling) • Pill organiser • Manuka honey net dressings (I read on RS that these are great for incision openings) • Feminine wipes • Gentle sterile wash for washing dressings. This is one specifically used by vets during animal surgeries. Sounds odd, I know, but the ingredients are organic and gentle. • Hibiscrub for pre-op shower • Body wipes (I’m not advised to shower for the first week so these will come in handy) • Shampoo cap • Body lotion for dry skin (my skin gets really irritated and dry after surgery so I’m hoping this will be a relief) • Protein powder (for smoothies during recovery) • Compression socks (to prevent DVT) • Toilet raiser with arms • Female urinal to avoid peeing into the incisions if I’m standing up – eek! • Leg raiser to rest my legs on in bed • Bed pads to soak up any fluids • Mirror and face wipes (in case I can’t be bothered to get out of bed but still want to wash my face!) • Antiseptic cream (I think Neosporin is most highly recommended in the US so I’m trying to find a suitable alternative here in the UK) • Supplements for post healing (zinc, iron and Ester-C) • Alcohol wipes for sanitising the toilet • Disposable gloves for when I clean the incisions • Vitamin E scar oil for further down the line • Anti itch lotion • Snacks – it might be tricky for me to go to the supermarket for the first couple of weeks so I’ve bought a few healthy foods that have long expiry dates, like rye bread and chia jam. Not ideal to survive on this diet for long but I’ll have a weekly delivery of fruit and veg so hopefully that will mean I can maintain a healthy diet during recovery. I also plan to do a juice fast a few weeks after surgery to get the toxins out of my body. I’ve found this to help in the past. Please let me know if there is anything I’ve missed out! I had my pre-op assessment Updated on 10 May 2019: Hi guys, thank you all for your well wishes and beautiful messages. I'm in hospital and on my phone so will keep this brief and update you more fully soon but in short, surgery went well, great day from the offset. I'm not in any pain and am very lucid, not drowsy. Getting out of the bed and having a wee was a challenge the first time but I did it (if you are having this surgery, please get a female urinal!) Other than that, really nothing to complain about. Since I got out of theatre, they've brought me painkillers but I've had no reason to take them (yet). If the pain intensifies, I won't think twice about taking painkillers but it's been absolutely fine thus far, just a slight burning in the incision areas which is very transient. I won't be seeing my results until Day 6 as I will be getting my bandages removed then and encouraged not to shower until then. I have bed bath wipes to keep me clean though so will post my results when I see them, but here's a brief pic in the meantime. Lots of love to you all! Updated on 11 May 2019: Hi guys, I'm back home and doing well. All my fears were completely unfounded, long may it last! It would be amazing if my recovery was as uneventful as my first day! I went to the hospital yesterday and was seen very promptly. Within 5 mins of arriving, Fulvio was marking me up ready to get underway. I was clearly a bit anxious, but he did a stellar job of turning this into excitement. My anxieties melted away, and my ease was enhanced by meeting the hospital staff and anaesthetist, all of whom were absolutely lovely. I can honestly say I received the best care ever. I had a slight panic when I was in the anaesthetist's room, and asked if I'd be 'put under' there and then. The answer was yes, and I realised this was really happening. I have honestly wanted this for 4 years and it was that thought that kept me in the room, rather than running for the exit. I'm so pleased I didn't allow fear to overcome me, and that I went for this. The anaesthetist told me to think of a happy place and suddenly, I was waking up in recovery, feeling pretty good and trying to remember why I was there. The excruciating pain that so many reviews speak of was absolutely not present, so I briefly wondered if I'd had any surgery at all. I would actually say this procedure was less painful than the lipo I had a few years ago, even though this involved lipo AND skin removal. I know, it makes no sense to me either! I was wheeled back to my room, and dozed for a little while. I didn't feel any pain at all that first day. I was eating within a couple of hours and drinking easily. When it came to having a wee, I was nervous because of where the incisions are placed, but it was fine. I had a decent sleep and was woken at 6am for blood pressure and antibiotics. I assumed that morning would be the worst time and that I'd be tender, but again, I didn't experience this. I woke up feeling pretty good and being eager to walk around the room. Getting in and out of bed is fairly uncomfortable, but that's as much pain as I've been in. Fulvio came to visit me this morning, and I absolutely beamed when I saw him! Even though I hadn't seen my results at this point, my thighs look slim in the compression garment and I was in much less pain than I anticipated. I was so grateful to him. He wanted to have a look at how things were doing and so removed the compression garment briefly. My thighs looked so small and taut! I am quite amazed. No bruising either. He said he removed 230g of skin from one side and 250g from the other, as well as 500ml fat. It sounds gross but I don't actually feel like my body has been through that. I'm sure it's a combination of eating a healthy diet, regular exercise and a very skilled surgeon. My mum drove me home and I had no problem getting up the three stairs to my flat, though was pleased to be home and dry. I have mostly stayed in bed, resting my legs today and going for a walk around the flat on the hour, every hour. I'm afraid to say that going for a number 2 was a bit of an ordeal because I'm constipated, but I'm hoping it will be easier from now on. Sorry if that's TMI but I think it's fairly common with any surgical procedure. My aim over the next 2 weeks is to REST. I'm not a big one for resting and staying indoors but I feel it is absolutely necessary during my recovery. I certainly don't want to do anything to compromise my results so I'm remaining 'gently mobile' as my surgeon recommended. All in all, I'm absolutely delighted at how my legs look and how I'm feeling. Thank you to those who said a prayer for me and sent me such lovely messages, your support means the world and I'm looking forward to updating you. For now, here are a couple of pics. Sorry they're not great but I'll be sure to post more as my recovery continues... Updated on 16 May 2019: Hi guys, I'm doing well! Today I had my post-op appointment and it couldn't have gone better! I was a little concerned earlier in the week about blood under my dressings, but I needn't have been. My surgeon removed the surgical tape and replaced it, and all was doing well. Nothing more than a little oozing, and the scars are incredibly neat! I was flummoxed by how neat in fact. My surgeon said the legs I have now go well with my body and I couldn't have described it better myself. These are the legs I was meant to have, the ones before were bulky and an impediment to fully enjoying and loving my body. I cannot commend him enough for the incredible job he has done. The week has been uneventful. Recovery has been easy (if frustrating at times!) and I'm in no pain whatsoever. I stopped painkillers on Day 2 as there was no need for them. The worst of it has been swelling in the evenings, but even that is lessening. I went for a walk with my mum yesterday and it was lovely. I'm fairly sure no one could tell I was walking any differently than I might otherwise have been. I was swollen upon my return but not tired or sore. I'm drinking 3l of water daily and eating super healthily. I have a protein and fruit packed smoothie for lunch every day. I'm conscious of my diet as I'm so sedentary just now, but when I weighed myself yesterday I was down to 138lbs (I'm 5"10 so it's quite low for my height). I have lost 3 lbs since surgery. I feel great though. Other than frustration at not being able to fully partake in daily activities, like exercise, seeing friends etc. I am happy. To be honest, if it means taking a break from everyday life in order to have a better recovery, I will absolutely do it. I'm booked in for a lymphatic drainage massage tomorrow which I think will be really good. I go back to work a week today but I work from home so it's no biggie. My mum leaves on Sunday and so I'll be on my own again, and probably wait another week before contacting people and getting involved in things again. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing as far as recovery is concerned. I drove the 10 min journey to the surgery today and it was uncomfortable, so I'll avoid driving for the next couple weeks if possible. All in all, I'm so happy with my results and I'm so pleased to have stumbled upon such a talented and compassionate surgeon! I feel a newfound respect and love for my body and wellbeing. I don't want to eat anything that is bad for my health, nor do anything that might hinder my recovery. I think this is the first time in a long time I have felt content in my skin. And yes, I may have a flat bottom and my arms could do with some weight lifting but it's not the end of the world. These things I can live with but my thighs were something that depressed the heck out of me, and now they're one of my favourite parts! I'll post a couple more 'before' pics here, followed by some afters. They aren't great (apologies, I tend not to keep up with the latest camera phone technology!) but hopefully give an idea of my results! I was concerned about the bumps at the top inner thigh but it's just swelling that will hopefully decrease. This is where the excess skin was worst so perhaps a little bumpiness here is inevitable. Please let me know your thoughts on my results! Updated on 20 May 2019: Healing still going well, just trying to look after myself. I'm beyond delighted with my results! My thighs are so smooth, they're my favourite part of my body now, which is beyond my expectations. I'm doing well but frustrated about being in the house all the time. Updated on 23 May 2019: I'm two weeks post op tomorrow and doing well. The pain is still minimal, though I am noticing that recovery is slow. What I mean by that is that I don't notice a tremendous difference from day to day, but then I had a great recovery from the get go. I have been trying to take a walk on a daily basis, even just for 20 minutes, which seems to be doing my body good. The toughest part of recovery for me is the sheer frustration of not being able to engage in normal life as I would usually, and not being able to exercise. I don't want my body to get out of shape or to lose muscle mass but it is inevitable when you spend so long each day lying on the couch. As I mentioned in my first post, I had a relationship breakup at Christmas time and two things that have got me through are exercising and socialising with good people. I'm unable to do either at the moment so I have had some lonely and dark moments, and end up thinking a lot about my rubbish ex boyfriend which is definitely not good for me. This too shall pass. Sorry to be a moan. I know the results are absolutely worth it, I'm still in awe of how my surgeon has done it! I've been having weekly lymphatic drainage massage too which has been really lovely. I'm not sure it does much at all, but relaxes me nonetheless! I am hoping to be able to see a couple of friends next week so I'm not totally isolated. As much as I need to look after my physical health, I don't want my mental health to suffer. Updated on 25 May 2019: The last couple of days have been a bit difficult. Last night, I had a lot of pain and swelling in my leg, feeling a little down about how slowly my healing is progressing. However, I know that this is entirely natural with thigh lifts. Today, I changed my dressings myself for the first time. It was painful. My surgeon did it last week without so much as a flinch, in a matter of minutes. It took me half an hour to inch the tape off, and when I did, I realised there were a couple of small openings. This upset me because I thought I was out of the woods, but clearly not. I think such openings are to be expected. The one I have pictured is at the groin crease, so a susceptible area. It was releasing 'slough' according to my surgeon, and so I applied some medihoney and gauze. I will clean and change this every day and keep an eye on it. Otherwise, my scars are looking good. For two weeks, they are very thin and discrete. I've posted pics of these too. I'm generally feeling good, though feeling a bit trapped in my house at the moment. Perhaps I will escape to the countryside tomorrow for some fresh air. So grateful for the last two weeks to have gone by without any concerns, though I'm not out of the woods yet as I found out today. Updated on 28 May 2019: After my initial panic about my small wound opening, I'm doing better. If anything, it was an indication I was overdoing it, and needed to reign it in. I had a massage today and the lady said those who are yearning to exercise and be active usually have the fastest recovery - this is definitely me! I have been going for gentle walks as much as possible and notice that, although they start off sore, I am usually feeling much more limber by the end. I noticed a tiny opening at the other side of my groin today and immediately cleaned it up and applied manuka honey. That stuff is incredible. I have to bear in mind that I'm not even 3 weeks PO yet. It's still early days. I had been starting to make plans with friends etc but realise it will be a while before I can go out to a club or sit cross-legged in a meditation class. I'm ok with that. It's an opportunity for me to bow out of life, and have some me-time. I just want to do what is best for a safe recovery. My experience last weekend taught me that just because I've had two very easy weeks, does not mean I'm out of the woods. I'm not going to be squatting or lunging for quite some time! Here are a couple of pics I took today at the massage lady's house. Sorry about the dodgy lighting! Updated on 31 May 2019: Arg, so frustrating! I have found more openings, all in the groin incision line. They are very small, but noticeable. I am having difficulty dressing these, as the tape in this area does not stay, on account of the area being susceptible to movement, and the compression garment rubbing against it. The long incision is completely fine, healing away nicely and avoiding this irritation. I am getting very frustrated at seeing new openings and being unsure as to how to dress these, since the dressings soon fall off. I have barely moved all morning, yet still the tape had unstuck when I last went to the toilet. I am awaiting a response from the surgeon as I don't know what to do for the best. The lack of adhesion and protection of the tape is irritating the incision and I don't want this to result in further openings or infection. I'm finding it all rather stressful. Updated on 3 Jun 2019: I am checking on my scars every day. There are still four small openings, one of which is larger and a bit more concerning than the others. I totally freaked out over the weekend when I saw it had become bigger, and immediately messaged my surgeon. However, on closer inspection, I realised it was not as deep as it had been previously, and is superficial/ on the surface. This was heartening as it seems it is healing, slowly but surely. It's so difficult to dress as it's at the top of the leg. However, I have bandaged my leg so everything is held together nicely. I am due to travel in three weeks. I'm going to have a word with my manager this afternoon and try to get out of it. It's not because I don't want to go (although admittedly, I don't) but I really don't want to take any unnecessary risks at this stage. I need to do what is best for me, not for the company I work for (who won't really care if I'm there or not!) Updated on 3 Jun 2019: I've been moaning so much about that darn opening that I've lost sight of the reason I did this in the first place. When I took all my bandages off to replace them this evening, I remembered. Here is a pic of my new legs, and a reminder of my old ones. Updated on 7 Jun 2019: Hi guys, I'm doing well, seem to have turned a healing corner. I went into town yesterday and not once did I feel aware of my legs or scared someone would bash into me. I was walking normally. My openings are also healing beautifully thanks to Medihoney. It's a slow process but going in the right direction, and I'm not covered in bandages anymore, I've shed a lot of them now. I bought a new bikini and had a whale of a time frolicking in the garden yesterday, finally content with my body. I can't overestimate how happy I am with my results, that I finally have legs I can be proud of and that match the rest of my body. I am so grateful to my surgeon and to the people on RS who have shared their own stories and helped a great deal in this journey. Updated on 7 Jun 2019: Dear RS users, I have been documenting my thigh lift journey on RealSelf for some time and was recently contacted by a member with a man's name. The comment was innocuous enough, but I was struck by the fact this seemed to be a male, and all the other contacts I have had have been from females. I clicked on his profile and saw that he has no RS journey of his own. Rather, he has a notebook labelled ‘p*ssy’. To my utter disgust, he appears to have saved pictures from women’s profiles/ RS stories where their private parts are visible, presumably as this displays results better than wearing underwear. My photos, as well as many other women were on there. What we all had in common was that our privates were showing in the photographs. I immediately contacted RS to make them aware of this, as well as cropping any photos I have where this is the case (unfortunately I've ruined a couple of photos as a result!) RS got back within minutes and told me the profile had been deleted due to violation of rules. However, there is nothing stopping this and other individuals from creating other such profiles to view and save images of surgical for their own masturbatory purposes. I felt it necessary to post this warning to ask other women not to post pictures of their private parts if possible. Protect yourself first and foremost. If it doesn't show your results perfectly then that's ok. Xx Updated on 18 Jun 2019: Hi guys, I haven't updated recently as there hasn't been much to update you on! I had my second post-op appointment on Friday, which went well! My surgeon was delighted with my results, and told me I should be wearing Daisy Duke shorts all summer! I'm not sure about that (will likely still be in my compression shorts for a start), but definitely looking forward to wearing jeans for the first time in my life. Previously they have looks pretty awful on me, with chaffing thighs out of proportion to the rest of my body. My scars are doing well. The one that had caused me most concern has almost completely closed now, thank goodness. The other one is a small hole which is taking more time to close, but with daily dressing is definitely getting better. My bruising is almost completely gone, though I am still prone to the occasional swelling so my garment is staying on for a while longer (admittedly, I find it very comfortable anyway). I've been working out every day, focusing on my upper body but increasingly incorporating my lower body. I've had no issues with this, and I'm careful not to overdo it or do anything that might compromise my scars. One thing I've noticed now I've sorted one area of my body out, is that I'm becoming increasingly discontent with my butt. I've had a BBL previously but it didn't take. In fact, my bottom is saggier than before the BBL. I've been considering butt implants to add volume to the area, but I know that they are prone to complications and there are few surgeons offering implants here in the UK. I don't want to get addicted to improving my body but this is another area that causes me concern, so I'll think about it. I think one of the problems with getting cosmetic surgery is that even if you are happy with your results, you tend to look more critically at other perceived flaws! Updated on 26 Jun 2019: Dear all, I am almost 7 weeks post op, can you believe it?! Discovered today that I have lost 1.5 inches from each thigh which isn't a lot, but makes a difference! I'm almost completely healed. The two openings have now closed over, with a little patience, time and medihoney (that stuff is a miracle worker!) I'm exercising every day, but being mindful of my legs as they still swell at night. I even bought my first pair of skinny jeans: no chaffing in sight! I mentioned in my previous post that I'd been considering bum implants, as my butt is the last thing I feel discontented about. I even booked a consultation with a PS in London. However, after sitting on it (pardon the pun!) for a few days, I decided, my butt isn't too bad and I should just learn to love the body I'm in now: it's pretty great! I think learning to love yourself is more difficult than recovering from surgery so it'll be a challenge not to cover up my bum at every opportunity! I only have one more appointment with my surgeon (which is a shame as I really enjoy speaking to him about my progress) and then, in August, I'm moving to Scotland. I'm excited, as it's a fresh new start for me, with new thighs and without the toxic relationship that saw me moving to London in the first place. I feel like a whole new me Updated on 14 Aug 2019: I can't believe it's been so long since I updated you guys, but no news is good news! I'd say I'm practically 100% healed: no restrictions in movement whatsoever and zero swelling. My compression garment is now a bit loose on me, which is a good sign as it no longer needs to be used. My scars are looking good, just a thin line with a bit more of a bruise-like appearance at one of the areas where there was an opening, but this will fade in time. My surgery is a distant memory, I can barely believe it has happened! From all the reviews I have read which state this is THE most painful surgery anyone could experience, my experience has been quite the opposite. A walk in the park. The first day was challenging but even then, I was able to walk slowly from the hospital to the car and endured a short car journey. I was doing gentle exercise by week two. This is the best thing I have ever done for my body and body image. Rather than cringing when I look at my legs, my eyes are drawn to that area as it's my favourite part of me. My legs are so long and lean now. I have replaced my horrible toxic ex and his low-level abuse with a lovely new man who frequently comments on how gorgeous my legs are! I am so grateful to my surgeon, a man with such an eye for beauty and such skill and concern for his patients. I have never felt in safer hands. If this review encourages one person to have the courage to book a thigh lift, my work here will be done. I feel like this is the body I was meant to be in all along, not the flabby, loose skin that resulted in me living a very limited life and having incredibly low self-esteem. Life is too short xxx Updated on 11 Feb 2020: Hey guys, I thought I'd post a spontaneous update and show you my results now I am 100% back to normal, as I have been for some time. The scars are visible, but otherwise, there is no noticeable sign that I have had surgery, nor any restrictions in my movement or day to day life. This is completely, entirely the best thing I have ever done for myself. In terms of how I view my body, I like it a lot now, it's not an issue. I used to barely acknowledge or look at my legs because they disgusted me. Now, I am occasionally taken aback by how good they look. They are slim and taut and seem to match the rest of my body. In addition, I have more of an incentive now to eat well and exercise. I overate at Christmas time and felt a bit crappy. I realised I didn't want to get back into that cycle of abusing my body, and had undergone and recovered from a fairly big surgery, so why would I be ok with gaining weight now? My diet is healthy and consistent and I exercise moderately. I'm not ashamed anymore. I love my body. The scars are beautiful and I'm proud of them. If you are undergoing this surgery, know that there will be scars but that they can be embraced and they SO make up for the loose and flabby skin they replaced. I really can't get on board with people who say 'I'm not going ahead because I'll be left with big ugly scars'. Once again, this is the best thing I have ever done. The recovery was incredibly easy considering my expectations and my surgeon was an absolute dream in every way. I really hope I have inspired one person considering this surgery to proceed and make a huge impact on the way they see themselves xx Updated on 24 Jun 2020: Hi everyone, I hope you're all surviving the Corona crisis we're dealing with at the moment. I am so very grateful I had my surgery last year, I can't imagine how challenging it might have been to have it postponed and not know when it would be going ahead. Now I am full healed and absolutely loving my legs. Not just my legs, but my body. My surgery has changed my perspective of my entire physical appearance and I've been working out, doing yoga and eating healthily which is somehow easier when you already love your body! I wanted to show pics of my scars one year on, as I have had some questions about whether the surgery is worth the scars...isn't it just trading one bad thing for another? My answer is that it is 100% completely and utterly worth it. My scars are near invisible and even I don't acknowledge them most of the time. They are so subtle that I imagine only an intimate partner would notice them. The idea of maintaining my loose skin to save me having to have these scars is crazy. I would choose my delicate scars over that awful rubbing loose skin in a heartbeat! With working out, I am even starting to see muscle definition in my legs which I have never experienced before, as my muscles were deeply hidden by layers of fat and skin. I couldn't be more delighted with my results and my surgeon, who was kind, reassuring and attentive at every step of my recovery. I will be singing his praises forever!
I had contemplated having a breast reduction for a very long time but it was only this year that I finally decided to get it done. After doing my research and meeting a few different surgeons I found Fulvio through a company called Medbelle. On day one of meeting Fulvio I knew he was the right surgeon for me. From the very beginning he was detailed and honest about what he could do for me as my situation was different to a standard breast reduction. You can see that he is very passionate about his work and that he genuinely cares. Getting plastic surgery is a big decision to make and I know I made the right one having found Fulvio! I am so thrilled with the end result and love my new body. He is truly an artist. I highly recommend Fulvio and the eterno team to anyone contemplating plastic surgery in future.
I used an independent intermediary to assist me with the process of finding a surgeon for my tummy tuck. Through my quest I met with 3 other PS's beforehand but for some reason or another, I did not feel trusting to 1) part with my hard earned cash and 2) was not fully comfortable that they had my best interest at heart. No disrespect to the others but to undergo something so life-changing I had to be 200% sure that I comfortable with the human in charge on all fronts. From my first consultation with Mr Urso-Baiarda, I knew he was the right PS for me. He has the most humble and sincere bedside manner and I felt instantly at ease. I was so impressed at the level of detail he covered in our consultations, discussing my expectations; what would be realistic as well as a comprehensive walkthrough of all the options and what he felt in his professional view would be best for me to achieve maximum results. I met with him twice before surgery and following each consultation he followed up with a written detailed summary of our discussion which was also sent to my GP - I like that. The date my life changed was on the 21st August and having waited so long for this day to come I was so excited knowing that in a couple of hours my sagging, hanging belly would be no more but at the same time nervous of the thought of having to “go-under” *gulp. Mr Urso-Baiarda was so reassuring as always which confirmed to me that I had made the right choice. I am now entering into my 9th week PO and have met with my PS twice since the surgery; 1 & 4 weeks PO. My next one is scheduled in November. All is as expected and I must say that he did a really excellent job with my incision, low and very thin. That was the part that I was most scared about after all a scar is a permanent scar. I am so pleased with my results and I am seeing improvements every day. The whole experience has been positive and having such an attentive, professional human by my side, Fulvio Urso-Baiarda, I am so grateful that he made all my wishes come true. Thank you. KS
Hi, Thanks for your question. You can address breast asymmetry with one implant, but it's a bad idea in my opinion. Breast implants don't just alter volume but shape, so you would have one much perkier breast than the other with this approach. Better approaches are to use two differently sized breast implants, or (if you don't want implants) either to reduce the larger breast or fat graft/lipofill the smaller one. My preference is to use the same sized implants wherever possible because even implants of different sizes will age differently, so if I notice some asymmetry in a patient requesting breast augmentation I tend to lipofill or reduce one side, and then use the same implants on each side. I personally wouldn't recommend one implant! All the best, Fulvio
Hi, thanks for your question, and really well done for researching this well... because honestly, I think you would end up regretting going against your recommendation to have a lift as well as implants. I do a lot of corrective surgery and the commonest underlying cause is the patient or surgeon compromising shape because of trying to minimise scarring. That leaves a patient with scars from surgery AND a shape they still don't like. If you don't want to look in a mirror thinking 'I'd like it if only...' then I think you would benefit from the uplift at the same time as implant surgery....
Honestly, both your practitioners are probably 'right' in that there are many right approaches to a good outcome. Generally we wouldn't dual sculpt the lower abdomen as we do like to overlap the midline, but since the lower abdomen isn't usually treated on its own it is still possible to dual sculpt, by combining e.g. right lower abdomen with left upper or left flank, and then vice versa. So the treatments get done in half the time, including the overlap!
Nope, you don't need to shave - you are ready to go as you are! I would recommend you use CoolSculpting's official website to find a genuine Coolsculpting practitioner, as there are a lot of copycat devices (which I believe are not as effective). Good luck!
I'm going to disagree with some of the other opinions you've had - I think you are a good candidate for a periareolar mastopexy. PAM should really be thought of as 'nipple repositioning' rather than a true mastopexy, but if you're otherwise happy with your overall breast shape (which I think is reasonable) then a PAM could be used to elevate your nipple to a better position on the breast mound, giving better overall aesthetics. The surgical technique is very important, and in particular suture selection - recurrence is inevitable with an absorbable suture in my opinion, whereas there are good long-term results of a permanent suture is used. You should see a surgeon who does this regularly and who has good long-term results to show you. Good luck!
